U.S. patent application number 13/194443 was filed with the patent office on 2013-01-31 for macro network optimization with assistance from femto cells.
This patent application is currently assigned to AT&T MOBILITY II LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Ming-Ju Ho, Patrick Mascarenhas. Invention is credited to Ming-Ju Ho, Patrick Mascarenhas.
Application Number | 20130028107 13/194443 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47597142 |
Filed Date | 2013-01-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130028107 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ho; Ming-Ju ; et
al. |
January 31, 2013 |
MACRO NETWORK OPTIMIZATION WITH ASSISTANCE FROM FEMTO CELLS
Abstract
The disclosed subject matter relates to employing a received
signal strength indicator returned from a femto cell to optimize a
multiple access wireless communication network. In particular, a
method operable in a wireless communications network is disclosed.
The method comprises receiving a received signal strength indicator
from a femto cell situated in a geographical area within a multiple
access wireless communication network, and optimizing the multiple
access wireless communication network as a function of the received
signal strength indicator.
Inventors: |
Ho; Ming-Ju; (Alpharetta,
GA) ; Mascarenhas; Patrick; (Atlanta, GA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Ho; Ming-Ju
Mascarenhas; Patrick |
Alpharetta
Atlanta |
GA
GA |
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
AT&T MOBILITY II LLC
Atlanta
GA
|
Family ID: |
47597142 |
Appl. No.: |
13/194443 |
Filed: |
July 29, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
370/252 ;
370/328; 370/329 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 1/0001 20130101;
H04L 2001/0092 20130101; H04L 1/0026 20130101; H04W 72/085
20130101; H04W 16/16 20130101; H04W 52/247 20130101; H04W 74/00
20130101; H04W 52/245 20130101; H04W 84/00 20130101; H04W 88/08
20130101; H04W 52/244 20130101; H04W 24/02 20130101; H04B 7/08
20130101; H04B 7/0834 20130101; H04W 84/045 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
370/252 ;
370/328; 370/329 |
International
Class: |
H04W 72/04 20090101
H04W072/04; H04W 24/10 20090101 H04W024/10; H04W 52/22 20090101
H04W052/22 |
Claims
1. A method, comprising: receiving data that includes a signal
strength indicator from a femto cell situated in a geographical
area within a multiple access wireless communication network; and
altering the multiple access wireless communication network as a
function of the signal strength indicator.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the altering further comprises
adjusting a transmission power with which a base station transmits
into the geographical area.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein adjusting the transmission power
includes receiving an output of an operations support system
tool.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the altering further comprises
modifying a frequency allocation utilized by a base station to
transmit into the geographical area.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein modifying the frequency
allocation further comprising employing an automatic cell planning
tool.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the altering further comprises
adjusting an azimuth of an antenna associated with a base station
that directs transmissions into the geographical area.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the adjusting the azimuth further
comprises employing a remote electrical tilt mechanism to tilt the
antenna with which the base station employs to transmit into the
geographical area.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the receiving includes receiving
the signal strength indicator in response to a base station
broadcasting a pilot signal recognizable by the femto cell as a
command to dispatch the received signal strength indicator to the
base station.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising: in response to the
base station broadcasting the pilot signal, dispatching, by the
femto cell, quality metrics associated with the geographical area
within which the femto cell is located.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein the receiving includes receiving
the signal strength indicator in response to the base station
broadcasting the pilot signal that solicits a return of the signal
strength indicator at random intervals of time.
11. The method of claim 8, wherein the receiving includes receiving
the signal strength indicator in response to the base station
broadcasting the pilot signal to solicit a return of the signal
strength indicator at periodic intervals.
12. The method of claim 8, wherein the receiving includes receiving
the signal strength indicator in response to the base station
broadcasting the pilot signal to solicit a return of the received
signal strength indicator on an on-demand basis.
13. The method of claim 8, wherein the receiving includes receiving
the signal strength indicator in response to the base station
continuously broadcasting the pilot signal to solicit a return of
the signal strength indicator.
14. The method of claim 8, wherein the receiving includes receiving
special messaging recognizable by the femto cell as a command to
dispatch the received signal strength indicator to the base
station.
15. The method of claim 1, wherein the data includes a quality
indicator.
16. The method of claim 1, wherein the data includes a performance
indicator.
17. A system operable in a wireless communication network,
comprising: a first component configured to detect a suboptimal
degree of interference from a multiple access wireless
communication network, wherein the interference inhibits a femto
cell from modification of a coverage area associated with the femto
cell; and a second component configured to transmit a warning
message that requests adjustment of radio parameters.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the suboptimal degree of
interference from the multiple access wireless communication
network is indicated by a received signal strength indicator
monitored by the femto cell.
19. The system of claim 17, wherein the suboptimal degree of
interference from the multiple access wireless communication
network is provided by quality metrics monitored and compiled by
the femto cell.
20. The system of claim 17, wherein the second component is further
configured to transmit a warning message that requests a relocation
of the femto cell.
21. The system of claim 17, wherein the radio parameters are
associated with an antenna in a distributed antenna array.
22. The system of claim 21, wherein the radio parameters further
include a transmission power.
23. The system of claim 21, wherein the radio parameters further
include a frequency allocation.
24. The system of claim 21, wherein the radio parameters further
include a code sequence.
25. The system of claim 17, wherein the warning message indicates
that a reconfiguration of the femto cell is requested.
26. A system, comprising: a first component configured to solicit a
received signal strength indicator from a femto cell positioned
within a geographical area shadowed by transmissions from a
multiple access wireless communication network; and a second
component configured to adjust an antenna electrical tilt mechanism
controlled by a base station situated in the multiple access
wireless communication network in response to the received signal
strength indicator.
27. The system of claim 26, wherein the received signal strength
indicator is solicited from the femto cell by a pilot signal
broadcast by the base station
28. The system of claim 26, wherein the received signal strength
indicator is an aggregation of received signal strength indicators
when the femto cell ascertains that more than one base station has
broadcast a pilot signal soliciting a return of the received signal
strength indicator.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present application relates generally to wireless
communications networks, and more specifically to employing a
received signal strength indicator returned from a Femto cell to
optimize a multiple access wireless communication network.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Multiple access wireless communication systems, such as
mobile radio communications systems, periodically require
optimization to improve performance, capacity, and customer
satisfaction. Recently, femto cells have been introduced by major
multiple access wireless communication systems providers/carriers
for deployment inside customer buildings to further improve
in-building data and voice coverage.
[0003] Femto cells are specifically designed for commercial
buildings with enterprise customers in mind Femto cells generally
are low power nodes with functionality that is similar to base
transceiver stations (e.g., NodeBs). Since allocated frequency
spectrum is at a premium and/or is finite, femto cells typically do
not have dedicated frequency allocations. Femto cells generally
share frequency spectrum with the greater multiple access wireless
communication system (e.g., macro network) within which they are
located. Accordingly, a certain degree of coverage overlap between
the multiple access wireless communication as a whole and
individual Femto cells is inevitable. Nevertheless, too much
overlap between the multiple access wireless communication system
in its entirety and individual Femto cells can cause degradation in
terms of network performance and capacity due to interference
between the macro network and the femto cells extant within the
macro network.
[0004] While Femto cells typically have lower priority in relation
to other components that form the multiple access wireless
communication system and generally reduce their transmitted power
in response to the signal strength emanating for the macro network
becoming overwhelming, such reduction of transmitted power by femto
cells is limited due to the cells' dynamic range.
[0005] The above-described deficiencies of today's wireless
communications systems are merely intended to provide an overview
of some of the problems of conventional systems, and are not
intended to be exhaustive. Other problems with the state of the art
and corresponding benefits of one or more of the various
non-limiting embodiments may become further apparent upon review of
the following detailed description.
SUMMARY
[0006] The following presents a simplified summary of the disclosed
subject matter in order to provide a basic understanding of some
aspects of the disclosed subject matter. This summary is not an
extensive overview of the disclosed subject matter. It is intended
to neither identify key or critical elements of the disclosed
subject matter nor delineate the scope of the disclosed subject
matter. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the
disclosed subject matter in a simplified form as a prelude to the
more detailed description that is presented later.
[0007] In accordance with one or more embodiments, disclosure is
made of a method, comprising receiving a received signal strength
indicator from a femto cell situated in a geographical area within
a multiple access wireless communication network; and altering the
multiple access wireless communication network as a function of the
received signal strength indicator.
[0008] In accordance with further embodiments, disclosure is made
of a system operable in a wireless communication network,
comprising a component configured to detect a suboptimal degree of
interference from a multiple access wireless communication network,
wherein the interference inhibits a femto cell extant in the
multiple access wireless communication network from modifying its
associated coverage area, and a further component configured to
transmit a warning message that indicates that relocation of the
femto cell is required.
[0009] In accordance with yet a further embodiment, disclosure is
made of a further system, comprising a first component configured
to solicit a received signal strength indicator from a femto cell
positioned within a geographical area shadowed by transmissions
from a multiple access wireless communication network, and a second
component configured to adjust an antenna electrical tilt mechanism
controlled by a base station situated in the multiple access
wireless communication network in response to the received signal
strength indicator.
[0010] The following description and the annexed drawings set forth
in detail certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed subject
matter. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the
various ways in which the principles of the disclosed subject
matter may be employed and the disclosed subject matter is intended
to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages
and distinguishing features of the disclosed subject matter will
become apparent from the following detailed description of the
disclosed subject matter when considered in conjunction with the
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system that performs macro
network optimization using deployed femto cells in order to reduce
or mitigate interference in coverage areas served by the femto
cells.
[0012] FIG. 2A provides a block diagram of a single base station in
communication with multiple femto cells.
[0013] FIG. 2B depicts multiple base stations in communication with
multiple femto cells.
[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates a communicatively coupled base station
and femto cell, wherein the femto cell is associated with a
distributed antenna array.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the inner workings of an
illustrative base station.
[0016] FIG. 5 depicts in block form a system that facilitates
and/or effectuates macro network optimization using deployed femto
cells in order to reduce or mitigate interference in coverage areas
served by the femto cells.
[0017] FIG. 6 depicts a block diagram of an illustrative network
coordination component.
[0018] FIG. 7 shows an illustrative network regulation component
associated with a femto cell.
[0019] FIG. 8 depicts an illustrative flow chart utilized by a
network coordination component to optimize a multiple access
wireless communication network and reduce or minimize interference
between coverage areas serviced by the multiple access wireless
communication network and coverage areas serviced by a femto
cell.
[0020] FIG. 9 depicts an illustrative flow chart utilized by a
network coordination component included with a base station located
in a multiple access wireless communication network.
[0021] FIG. 10 illustrates a method employed by a network
regulation component, wherein the network regulation component is
affiliated with a femto cell.
[0022] FIG. 11 depicts a process or method utilized by a network
coordination component.
[0023] FIG. 12 illustrates an example wireless communication
environment with associated components that can enable operation of
an enterprise network in accordance with aspects described
herein.
[0024] FIG. 13 illustrates a schematic deployment of a macro cell
for wireless coverage in accordance with aspects of the subject
specification.
[0025] FIG. 14 illustrates a block diagram of an example embodiment
of a femtocell access point.
[0026] FIG. 15 illustrates a block diagram of a computer operable
to execute a portion of the disclosed architecture.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] The disclosed subject matter is now described with reference
to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer
to like elements throughout. In the following description, for
purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in
order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed subject
matter. It may be evident, however, that the disclosed subject
matter may be practiced without these specific details. In other
instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block
diagram form in order to facilitate describing the disclosed
subject matter.
[0028] As used in this application, the terms "system,"
"component," "interface," and the like are generally intended to
refer to a computer-related entity or an entity related to an
operational machine with one or more specific functionalities. The
entities disclosed herein can be either hardware, a combination of
hardware and software, software, or software in execution. For
example, a component may be, but is not limited to being, a process
running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable, a
thread of execution, a program, and/or a computer. By way of
illustration, both an application running on a server and the
server can be a component. One or more components may reside within
a process and/or thread of execution and a component may be
localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or more
computers. These components also can execute from various computer
readable storage media having various data structures stored
thereon. The components may communicate via local and/or remote
processes such as in accordance with a signal having one or more
data packets (e.g., data from one component interacting with
another component in a local system, distributed system, and/or
across a network such as the Internet with other systems via the
signal). As another example, a component can be an apparatus with
specific functionality provided by mechanical parts operated by
electric or electronic circuitry that is operated by software or
firmware application(s) executed by a processor, wherein the
processor can be internal or external to the apparatus and executes
at least a part of the software or firmware application. As yet
another example, a component can be an apparatus that provides
specific functionality through electronic components without
mechanical parts, the electronic components can include a processor
therein to execute software or firmware that confers at least in
part the functionality of the electronic components. An interface
can include input/output (I/O) components as well as associated
processor, application, and/or API components.
[0029] Furthermore, the disclosed subject matter may be implemented
as a method, apparatus, or article of manufacture using standard
programming and/or engineering techniques to produce software,
firmware, hardware, or any combination thereof to control a
computer to implement the disclosed subject matter. The term
"article of manufacture" as used herein is intended to encompass a
computer program accessible from by a computing device.
[0030] Computing devices typically include a variety of media,
which can include computer-readable storage media and/or
communications media, which two terms are used herein differently
from one another as follows. Computer-readable storage media can be
any available storage media that can be accessed by the computer
and includes both volatile and nonvolatile media, removable and
non-removable media. By way of example, and not limitation,
computer-readable storage media can be implemented in connection
with any method or technology for storage of information such as
computer-readable instructions, program modules, structured data,
or unstructured data. Computer-readable storage media can include,
but are not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other
memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disk (DVD) or other
optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic
disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or other tangible
and/or non-transitory media which can be used to store desired
information. Computer-readable storage media can be accessed by one
or more local or remote computing devices, e.g., via access
requests, queries or other data retrieval protocols, for a variety
of operations with respect to the information stored by the
medium.
[0031] On the other hand, communications media typically embody
computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules or
other structured or unstructured data in a data signal such as a
modulated data signal, e.g., a carrier wave or other transport
mechanism, and includes any information delivery or transport
media. The term "modulated data signal" or signals refers to a
signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed
in such a manner as to encode information in one or more signals.
By way of example, and not limitation, communication media include
wired media, such as a wired network or direct-wired connection,
and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and other
wireless media
[0032] As used herein, the terms "infer" or "inference" generally
refer to the process of reasoning about or inferring states of the
system, environment, and/or user from a set of observations as
captured via events and/or data. Inference can be employed to
identify a specific context or action, or can generate a
probability distribution over states, for example. The inference
can be probabilistic--that is, the computation of a probability
distribution over states of interest based on a consideration of
data and events. Inference can also refer to techniques employed
for composing higher-level events from a set of events and/or data.
Such inference results in the construction of new events or actions
from a set of observed events and/or stored event data, whether or
not the events are correlated in close temporal proximity, and
whether the events and data come from one or several event and data
sources.
[0033] Further, terms like "user equipment," "mobile device,"
"mobile," "subscriber station," "access terminal," "terminal,"
"handset," and similar terminology, generally refer to a wireless
device utilized by a subscriber or user of a wireless communication
service to receive or convey data, control, voice, video, sound,
gaming, or substantially any data-stream or signaling-stream. The
foregoing terms are utilized interchangeably in the subject
specification and related drawings. Likewise, the terms "access
point," "base station," "cell site," "Node B," "evolved Node B" and
other outdoor environment devices, can be utilized interchangeably
in the subject application. Similarly, terms such as "femtocell",
"femto," "home Node B", "micro cell" and other indoor environment
devices can be used interchangeably as well. In either outdoor or
indoor cases, such devices can refer to a wireless network
component or appliance that serves and receives data, control,
voice, video, sound, gaming, or substantially any data-stream or
signaling-stream from a set of subscriber mobile devices. Data and
signaling streams can be packetized or frame-based flows. It is
noted that in the subject specification and drawings, context or
explicit distinction provides differentiation with respect to
access points or base stations that serve and receive data from a
mobile device in an outdoor environment, and access points or base
stations that operate in a confined, primarily indoor environment
overlaid in an outdoor coverage area.
[0034] Furthermore, the terms "user," "subscriber," "customer,"
"consumer," and the like are employed interchangeably throughout
the subject specification, unless context warrants particular
distinction(s) among the terms. It should be appreciated that such
terms can refer to human entities, associated devices, or automated
components supported through artificial intelligence (e.g., a
capacity to make inference based on complex mathematical
formalisms) which can provide simulated vision, sound recognition
and so forth. In addition, the terms "wireless network,"
"communications network," "network" and the like are used
interchangeable in the subject application, when context for any of
these term utilized warrants distinction for clarity purposes such
distinction is made explicit.
[0035] Moreover, the word "exemplary" is used herein to mean
serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or
design described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be
construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or
designs. Rather, use of the word exemplary is intended to present
concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, the
term "or" is intended to mean an inclusive "or" rather than an
exclusive "or". That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from
context, "X employs A or B" is intended to mean any of the natural
inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X
employs both A and B, then "X employs A or B" is satisfied under
any of the foregoing instances. In addition, the articles "a" and
"an" as used in this application and the appended claims should
generally be construed to mean "one or more" unless specified
otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular
form.
[0036] With reference to the Figures, FIG. 1 illustrates a system
100 that performs macro network optimization using deployed femto
cells in order to reduce or mitigate interference in coverage areas
served by the femto cells. To this end, system 100 can include a
multiple access wireless communication system 102 than can comprise
multiple cells, wherein each cell can include access points that
can be associated with multiple sectors. The multiple sectors can
be formed by groups of antennas each responsible for communication
with access terminals in a portion of the cell. Each cell can also
include several access terminals which can be in communication with
one or more sectors associated with each access point. Further, a
controller can also be coupled to each cell, wherein the controller
can provide connections to multiple networks, e.g., Internet, other
packet based networks, or circuit switched voice networks that can
provide information to, and from, the access terminals in
communication with the cells of the multiple access wireless
communication system 102. Typically, the controller can be coupled
to a scheduler that can schedule transmission from and to access
terminals currently resident in multiple access wireless
communication system 102. It should noted in the context of the
scheduler, the scheduler can reside in each individual cell, each
sector of a cell, or a combination thereof
[0037] As used herein, an access point can be a fixed station used
for communicating with access terminals and can also be referred to
as, and include some or all the functionality of, a base station, a
Node B, or some other terminology. Further, an access terminal can
also be referred to as, and include some or all the functionality
of, a user equipment (UE), a wireless communication device,
terminal, a mobile station or some other terminology. Typical
examples of access terminals can be cellular phones, smart phones,
laptops, handheld communication devices, handheld computing
devices, satellite radios, global positioning systems, PDSs, and/or
any other suitable device for communication over a wireless
communication system such as multiple access wireless communication
system 102.
[0038] As depicted, multiple access wireless communication system
102 can include base station 104 that can be communicatively
coupled to femto cell 106. As previously noted, base station 104 is
a station employed to communicate with access terminals that fall
within the service purview of base station 104. Further, as will be
appreciated by those of ordinary skill, femto cell 106, in
conjunction with an associated antenna 108, can have a similar
functionality to that of base station 104 though the ambit of its
coverage area, illustrated as coverage area 110, can be more
curtailed than that of base station 104, typically restricted to
the floor plan of a commercial building or structure, such as an
office building, warehouse, or factory. Thus, as will be further
appreciated by persons of ordinary skill, base station 104 with its
greater service coverage area can strategically be situated so as
to provide the greatest coverage area possible, whereas femto cell
106 can be positioned to provide a service coverage area within a
commercial building, for example.
[0039] Base station 104 can continuously, periodically, or on
demand, transmit a traditional pilot signal/beacon or other
prearranged or predetermined signal (e.g., a special signal) to
femto cell 106, whereupon femto cell 106 can respond to the pilot
signal/beacon or prearranged or predetermined signal with a
received signal strength indicator (RSSI) and/or other resource
reservation control indicia, such as a quality of service (QoS)
indicator, that provides base station 104 the ability to
appropriately prioritize different applications, users, or data
flows, and/or to guarantee a certain level of performance to a
particular data flow. For example, a required bit rate, delay,
jitter, packet dropping probability, and/or bit error rate can be
guaranteed. Further, base station 104 can also employ the received
signal strength indicator and/or other resource reservation control
indicia to ascertain whether there exists a strong coverage overlap
between the coverage area provided by base station 104 and the
coverage area (e.g., coverage area 110) provided by femto cell
106.
[0040] Where base station 104 determines that an overlap in
coverage areas exists between itself and femto cell 106, base
station 104 can take steps to adjust its coverage area so as to
cease or minimize shadowing areas also covered by femto cell 106.
Acts that can be undertaken by base station 104 to cease or
minimize shadowing coverage areas also serviced by femto cell 106
can include adjusting the azimuth of antenna arrays associated with
base station 104 through use of antenna remote electrical tilt
(RET) mechanisms and adjusting the transmitted power and/or
frequency allocations. For example, base station 104 can adjust the
transmitted power utilized in the cells under its control and/or
the transmitted power employed within individual sectors in the
cells under its control. Similarly, base station 104 can also
appropriately modify frequency assignments, and antenna
azimuths.
[0041] As stated above, femto cell 106 can respond to a pilot
signal/beacon or other prearranged or predetermined signal
transmitted from base station 104 by returning to base station 104
a received signal strength indicator and/or other resource
reservation control indicia which base station 104 can subsequently
utilize to perform adjustments to the macro network in order to
reduce the amount of interference, due to coverage overlap between
the macro network and the coverage area provided by femto cell 106,
within the system. In order to effectively respond to the
transmission of the pilot signal/beacon emitted from base station
104, femto cell 106 can be configured to continuously and/or
periodically monitor and detect for the transmission of the pilot
signal/beacon from base station 104. When femto cell 106 detects
that a pilot signal/beacon transmitted by base station 104 femto
cell 106 can marshal the necessary information (e.g., received
signal strength indicator and/or other resource reservation control
indicia) into a report and dispatch the report back to base station
104.
[0042] Turning now to FIG. 2A which depicts a single base station
104 in communication with multiple femto cells 106A-106N. In this
embodiment, base station 104 can broadcast a pilot signal/beacon or
other prearranged or predetermined signal to multiple femto cells
106A-106N, or base station 104 can simultaneously, or in near
contemporaneity, transmit the pilot signal/beacon or other
prearranged or predetermined signal to each of the femto cells
106A-106N. The femto cells 106A-106N, in accordance with an
embodiment, can be clustered in a single geographical area. For
example, femto cells 106A-106N can be situated on multiple floors
in an office building, or can be distributed throughout a warehouse
or factory building. Alternatively, in accordance with a further
embodiment, femto cells 106A-106N can be positioned in disparate
geographical areas of the wider multiple access wireless
communication network. For instance, femto cell 106A can be located
in an office building in a city at one peripheral edge of the
multiple access wireless communication network's coverage range
while femto cell 106N can be situated in a warehouse in a city at
the opposite peripheral edge of the multiple access wireless
communication network's coverage range. In response to receiving
the transmitted pilot signal/beacon from base station 104, each
femto cell 106A-106N can report back to transmitting base station
104 its individuated received signal strength indicator metrics
together with other relevant resource reservation control indicia
that base station 104 can employ to adjust and optimize the macro
network.
[0043] In connection with FIG. 2B, multiple base stations 104X-104Z
are illustrated as being in communication with multiple femto cells
106A-106N. As noted above, femto cells 106A-106N can be clustered
within a single geographical area or each femto cell 106A-106N can
be variously dispersed in many diverse geographical areas. It
should be noted in this regard however that two or more femto cells
106A-106N can be located (co-located) within the same geographical
area without departing from the scope and intent of this
disclosure. In a manner similar to that described in the context of
the location and dispersion of the multiple femto cells 106A-106N,
multiple base stations 104X-104Z can also be strategically
clustered within geographical areas and/or can be variously and
advantageously positioned in diverse geographical areas throughout
the multiple access wireless communication network. In this
instance, where multiple base stations 104X-104Z transmit or
broadcast pilot signals/beacons or other prearranged or
predetermined signals simultaneously, or in near or close temporal
proximity with one another, to femto cells 106A-106N in order to
instigate femto cells 106A-106N to send back their respective
received signal strength indicators and/or other resource
reservation control indicia, the femto cells 106A-106N can in
response return an aggregated received signal strength indicator or
a total received signal strength indicator as well as other
relevant resource reservation control indicia.
[0044] FIG. 3 illustrates a communicatively coupled base station
104 and femto cell 106, wherein femto cell 106 is associated with a
distributed antenna array 302 comprising antennas 108A, 108B, 108C,
and 108D. Generally, distributed antenna array 302 can be utilized
to extend the coverage area of the femto call 106 to other areas of
a commercial building. For instance, antenna 108A can be placed on
the 57.sup.th Floor, antenna 108B placed on the 47.sup.th Floor,
antenna 108C on the 37.sup.th Floor, and antenna 108D placed on the
27.sup.th Floor of an Office Tower. Alternatively, where a business
is spread out over a wide area, such as a business campus,
distributed antenna array 302, and its constituent antennas,
associated with femto cell 106 can be distributed at the northern,
eastern, southern, and western peripheral boundaries of the
business campus. As will be realized by those of ordinary skill
each antenna included in distributed antenna array 302 can
circumscribe or delineate a distinct coverage area. Further, as
will also comprehended by those of ordinary skill in the art, the
coverage areas circumscribed or delineated by each antenna
associated with distributed antenna array 302 can also be subject
to degrees of overlap which can cause interference. This
interference caused by such overlaps can be controlled, minimized,
or ameliorated by facilities provided by femto cell 106. It should
be noted at this juncture that while only four antennas (e.g.,
108A, 108B, 108C, and 108D) have been depicted as comprising
distributed antenna array 302, a greater or lesser number of
antennas can be included in distributed antenna array 302 without
departing from the intent and scope of this disclosure.
[0045] FIG. 4 provides illustration 400 of the inner workings of
base station 402. Base station 402 has similar functionality to
base station 104 previously described above. Base station 402 in
accordance with an embodiment can include a transmission side and a
receiver side. The receiver side of base station 402 can include
receiver 408 that can receive signals from one or more femto cell
(e.g., femto cell 106) through a plurality of receive antennas
provided by receive antenna array 404. Receiver 408 can receive
information from receive antenna array 404 and is operatively
associated with demodulator 410 that demodulates the received
information. Demodulated symbols can be analyzed by a processor 418
that can be a processor dedicated to analyzing information received
by receiver 408 and/or generating information for transmission by
transmitter 412, a processor that controls one or more components
of base station 402, and/or a processor that both analyzes
information received by receiver 408, generates information for
transmission by transmitter 412, and controls one or more
components of base station 402, and which is coupled to a memory
420 that stores data to be transmitted to or received from femto
cell 106, and/or any other suitable information related to
performing the various actions and functions set forth herein.
Processor 418 is further coupled to network coordination component
416 that, as will be described subsequently, reduces interference
to coverage areas served by femto cells.
[0046] The transmission side of base station 402 can include
transmitter 412 that transmits to the one or more femto cells
(e.g., femto cells 106A-106N) through transmit antenna array 406.
Typically, transmitter 412 is coupled to modulator 414 that can
multiplex frames for transmission by transmitter 412, via transmit
antenna array 406, to femto cell 106A-106N. Although depicted as
being separate from processor 418, it is to be appreciated that
network coordination component 416 can be part of processor 418 or
a number of processors (not shown).
[0047] Network coordination component 416 can typically be employed
to optimize or adjust a multiple access wireless communication
system or network (e.g., multiple access wireless communication
system 102) by reducing interference to geographical areas serviced
by femto cells. Network coordination component 416 accomplishes the
foregoing by transmitting or broadcasting, periodically, at random
time intervals, continuously, or on-demand, a pilot signal/beacon
(or some other predetermined or prearranged signal) comprehended by
femto cells as being a command or direction that instigates femto
cells, in response to detecting or identifying the pilot
signal/beacon, to report to the transmitting or broadcasting base
station 402 (and network coordination component 416 in particular)
a received signal strength indicator and/or other related resource
reservation control indicia, such as quality of service indicia. On
receipt of the received signal strength indicator and/or other
related and pertinent resource reservation control indicia, network
coordination component 416, based at least on the received signal
strength indicator and/or other related and pertinent resource
reservation control indicia, can determine whether or not there
exists coverage overlap between the multiple access wireless
communication network (or a geographical portion/segment that
includes the femto cell) and the reporting femto cell (e.g., femto
cell 106).
[0048] When network coordination component 416 ascertains, based at
least on the received signal strength indicator and/or other
related and pertinent resource reservation control indicia, that a
coverage overlap exists between the multiple access wireless
communication network 102 and coverage areas serviced by femto
cell, network coordination component 416 can adjust transmission
parameters, such as transmission power, frequency
allocations/assignments, antenna tilting and azimuth, in order to
reduce the interference caused by the multiple access wireless
communication network coverage areas intruding into geographic
coverage areas presently serviced by the responding femto cell.
[0049] Additionally, network coordination component 416 on receipt
of the received signal strength indicator and/or other related
quality information (e.g., resource reservation control indicia)
can interact or interface with other optimization tools, such as,
operations support systems, self optimizing network elements,
propagation planning tools, automatic cell planning facilities, and
the like, in order to ameliorate or attenuate the interference
caused by the multiple access wireless communication network
intruding into the coverage areas serviced by an operational femto
cell.
[0050] FIG. 5 depicts a system 500 that facilitates and/or
effectuates macro network optimization using deployed femto cells
in order to reduce or mitigate interference in coverage areas
served by the femto cells. System 500 comprises femto cell 502 with
a receiver 506 that receives signals through receive and transmit
antenna arrays 504 from one or more base stations (e.g., base
station 104X-104Z). Femto cell 502 also includes a transmitter 510
that transmits, through receive and transmit antenna arrays 504, to
base stations (e.g., base stations 104X-104Z) extant within the
coverage area provided by multiple access wireless communication
system 102. Receiver 506 can receive information from receive and
transmit antenna arrays 504 and is operatively associated with
demodulator 508 that modulates received information. Demodulated
symbols are analyzed by a processor 514 that can be a processor
dedicated to analyzing information received by receiver 506 and/or
generating information for transmission by transmitter 510, a
processor that controls one or more components of femto cell 502,
and/or a processor that both analyzes information received by
receiver 506, generates information for transmission by transmitter
510, and controls one or more components of femto cell 502, and
which is coupled to a memory 516 that stores data to be transmitted
to or received from one or more base stations (e.g. base stations
104X-104Z). Processor 514 is further coupled to a network
regulation component 518 that, as will be described infra,
facilitates and/or effectuates macro network optimization through
use of retuned signal strength indicators and/or other quality
information retuned by femto cells in order to reduce or mitigate
interference in coverage areas served by the femto cells. Modulator
512 can multiplex a frame for transmission by transmitter 510
through receive and transmit antenna arrays 504 to one or more base
stations that can exist within the coverage area of multiple access
wireless communications network 102. Although depicted as being
separate from processor 514, it is to be appreciated that network
regulation component 518 can be part of processor 514 or a number
of processors (not shown).
[0051] Network regulation component 518 can, upon receipt of a
pilot signal/beacon (or some other predetermined or prearranged
signal) from a base station can report back to the transmitting or
broadcasting base station its received signal strength indicator.
Additionally and/or alternatively, network regulation component 518
can report back other resource reservation control indicators or
other quality information that the receiving base station can
utilize in order to prevent interference between the multiple
access wireless communication network coverage area over which the
receiving base station has control and the coverage area
circumscribed and controlled by femto cell at issue. Network
regulation component 518 accomplishes the foregoing by
continuously, periodically, or at random time intervals, monitoring
for a pilot signal/beacon emanating from a base station. When
network regulation component 518 detects or recognizes the pilot
signal/beacon as an instigating or initiating pilot signal/beacon,
network regulation component 518 can cause a received signal
strength indicator and/or other quality information to be
dispatched back to the requesting base station (e.g., the
transmitting or broadcasting base station), whereupon the received
signal strength indicator and/or quality information from the femto
cell can be employed by the base station to attenuate or ameliorate
the effects of the base station's transmissions into the coverage
areas service by the femto cell to which network regulation
component 518 is affiliated.
[0052] Additionally, in an embodiment, network regulation component
518 in conjunction with a timer (e.g., watchdog timer) can
determine the near temporal proximity or contemporaneity of receipt
of pilot signal/beacons transmitted or broadcast by a plurality of
base stations. When network regulation component 518 determines
that a plurality of base stations have simultaneously or in near
contemporaneity have transmitted or broadcast pilot signals/beacons
initiating the femto cell to dispatch in return received signal
strength indicators and/or other related quality information,
network regulation component 518 can dispatch and aggregated
received signal strength indicator and/or related quality
information that the requesting base stations can employ to adjust
that transmission parameters so as to reduce the degree of
interference caused to the coverage areas serviced by femto
cell.
[0053] Further, since femto cells can be associated with
distributed antenna arrays (e.g. distributed antenna array 302),
network regulation component 518 can continuously, periodically, on
demand, all at random time intervals, monitor each coverage area
delineated by a particular antenna included in the distributed
antenna array 302 to ascertain its respective received signal
strength indicator and other quality metrics. This individuated
received signal strength indicator and/or other quality metrics can
be compiled by network regulation component 518 and dispatched to
the transmitting or broadcasting base station when an initiating
pilot signal/beacon is detected.
[0054] FIG. 6 illustrates 600 network coordination component 416 in
further detail. Network coordination component 416 can include
reception component 602 that can receive received signal strength
indicators and other quality information (e.g. resource reservation
control indicia) from femto cells that have been prompted or
instructed to return such information through dispatch (e.g.,
transmission and/or broadcast) of a pilot signal/beacon (or other
predetermined or prearranged signal). As has been noted above, on
receipt of the received signal strength indicator and/or ancillary
quality metrics, the base station within which network coordination
component 416 is included, can perform actions to modify
transmission characteristics of the multiple access wireless
communication network or system to which the base station forms an
integral part. Such modification of transmission characteristics
can include adjusting antenna azimuths, modifying transmission
powers, or changing frequency allocations in order to reduce or
minimize interference caused by coverage overlaps between the areas
serviced by the multiple access wireless communication system or
network and the areas serviced by a responding femto cell.
[0055] Further, network coordination component 416 can include
interface component 604 that allows network coordination component
416 to interact and utilize facilities and functionalities provided
by other optimization tools, such as, operations support systems,
self optimizing network elements, propagation planning tools,
automatic cell planning facilities, and the like.
[0056] Network coordination component 416 can further include pilot
signal component 606 that can be configured to continuously,
periodically, at time intervals randomly selected, or on demand,
cause the base station within which network coordination component
416 is incorporated to broadcast, transmit, or otherwise dispatch,
wirelessly or through a wired means, a pilot signal/beacon (or
other prearranged or predetermined signal) to femto cells in order
to elicit from the femto cells a response that includes at least
the received signal strength indicator or other associated quality
information.
[0057] Network coordination component 416 can also include
optimization component 608 that, in response to a received signal
strength indicator and/or other quality information received from a
femto cell, can be configured to determined whether or not a
coverage overlap exists between the multiple access wireless
communication network and the femto cell that sent its received
signal strength indicator and other quality metrics, and if so how
weak or strong the overlap. As will be recognized by those
ordinarily skilled, a strong overlap will typically be indicated by
the return of a received signal strength indication with a low
value (e.g., indicating severe interference), whereas a weak
overlapped generally will be indicated by the return of a received
signal strength indicator with a high value (e.g., indicating
minimal interference).
[0058] Network coordination component 416 can additionally include
adjustment component 610 that can be configured to modify or adapt
transmission characteristics of the multiple access wireless
communications network within which the base station is situated.
Transmission characteristics modifiable by adjustment component 610
can include transmission parameters, such as, transmission power,
frequency allocations, and the like, and through use of antenna
remote electrical tilt mechanisms, the tilt and/or azimuth of the
transmit and/or receive antennas.
[0059] Turning now to FIG. 7, depicted therein is an illustrative
network regulation component 518 that can be included or associated
with a femto cell, such as, femto cell 106. Network regulation
component 518 can include monitor and detection component 702 that
can monitor received signal strength indicators and other quality
indicia in the coverage area circumscribed by associated antennas
or distributed antennas coupled to the femto cell. Further, monitor
and detection component 702 can also be configured to monitor and
detect for pilot signals/beacons transmitted or broadcast from base
stations positioned within the multiple access wireless
communications network. Monitor and detection component 702 can be
associated with a timer or clock (e.g., a generic or standard timer
or a specific watchdog timer) that can be employed to ascertain the
contemporaneity of pilot signal/beacons received from a plurality
of base stations situated within the multiple access wireless
communication system. Where monitor and detection component 702
identifies a contemporaneity or a close time correspondence in the
receipt of pilot signal/beacons from a multitude of base stations
requesting or soliciting the return of received signal strength
indicators and/or other quality metrics, monitor and detection
component 702 can aggregate the received signal strength indicator
and/or other quality metrics. Thus, rather than sending a first
base station and a second base station that each send pilot
signals/beacons in near temporal proximity with one another each a
respective received signal strength indicator and other relevant
quality metrics, monitor and detection component 702 can cause the
femto cell within which monitor and detection component 702 is
included to return to each of the requesting base stations a total
received signal strength indicator and other quality metrics.
[0060] Monitor and detection component 702, when the femto cell is
associated with a distributed antenna grouping (e.g., distributed
antenna array 302), can monitor and/or provide the respective
received signal strength indicators and other quality metrics
associated with disparate geographical coverage areas associated
with each of the antennas (e.g., antennas 108A-108D) included in
the distributed antenna grouping, wherein each antenna included in
the distributed antenna grouping circumscribes or defines a
distinct geographical area. It should be noted without limitation
or loss of generality however, that while each antenna affiliated
with the distributed antenna grouping can be associated with
distinct non-overlapping geographical areas, there can
nevertheless, be a certain degree of overlap between the
circumscribed geographical coverage areas of each antenna included
in the distributed antenna grouping. As will be appreciated by
those of ordinary skill in the art, where such overlaps occur, any
consequent inference caused by such coverage overlaps can be
minimized or ameliorated by facilities and functionalities supplied
by adjustment component 704.
[0061] Adjustment component 704 in addition to minimizing
interference caused by coverage overlaps that can occur as a
consequence of an associated distributed antenna grouping, can also
adjust transmission parameters and antenna settings (e.g., tilt and
azimuth) in a manner similar to that describe above in connection
with base station 104. Further adjustment component 704 can also
effectuate adjustments to the coverage areas controlled by femto
cells where the coverage areas are in conflict with the coverage
ambit provided by the multiple access wireless communications
network.
[0062] Where adjustment component 704 is unable or incapable of
resolving the interference caused either by coverage overlaps
between the multiple access wireless communications network, or
overlaps caused by diverse aspects of an associated distributed
antenna grouping (e.g., distributed antenna array 302), adjustment
component 704 can call on the facilities provided by warning
indicator component 706.
[0063] Warning indicator component 706 in collaboration with
adjustment component 704 can dispatch warning messages to system
administrators that the femto cell is unable to rectify or remedy
interference caused either between the multiple access wireless
communication network and coverage areas under the purview and
control of the femto cell or between the coverage areas associated
with the distributed antenna array 302 and controlled by the femto
cell. Actions that can be undertaken by, and suggest by, warning
indicator component 706 can include having a system administrator
adjust one or more of the antennas associated with the distributed
antenna array 302 or reposition the femto cell to another
location.
[0064] In the context of network coordination component 416 and/or
network regulation component 518, it is to be understood that
various artificial intelligence techniques can be used in
conjunction with each of these components. Thus, various conditions
can be intelligently determined or inferred. For example, Bayesian
probabilities or confidence measures can be employed or inferences
can be based upon machine learning techniques related to historical
analysis, feedback, and/or previous determinations or inferences.
Thus, an intelligence component (not shown) can be associated with
each of network coordination component 416 and/or network
regulation component 518. Such an intelligence component can
examine the entirety or a subset of the data available and can
provide for reasoning about or infer states of the system,
environment, and/or user from a set of observations as captured via
events and/or data. Inference can be employed to identify a
specific context or action, or can generate a probability
distribution over states, for example. The inference can be
probabilistic--that is, the computation of a probability
distribution over states of interest based on a consideration of
data and events. Inference can also refer to techniques employed
for composing higher-level events from a set of events and/or
data.
[0065] Such inference can result in the construction of new events
or actions from a set of observed events and/or stored event data,
whether or not the events are correlated in close temporal
proximity, and whether the events and data come from one or several
event and data sources. Various classification (explicitly and/or
implicitly trained) schemes and/or systems (e.g., support vector
machines, neural networks, expert systems, Bayesian belief
networks, fuzzy logic, data fusion engines . . . ) can be employed
in connection with performing automatic and/or inferred action in
connection with the disclosed subject matter.
[0066] A classifier can be a function that maps an input attribute
vector, x=(x1, x2, x3, x4, xn), to a confidence that the input
belongs to a class, that is, f(x)=confidence(class). Such
classification can employ a probabilistic and/or statistical-based
analysis (e.g., factoring into the analysis utilities and costs) to
prognose or infer an action that a user desires to be automatically
performed. A support vector machine (SVM) is an example of a
classifier that can be employed. The SVM operates by finding a
hyper-surface in the space of possible inputs, where the
hyper-surface attempts to split the triggering criteria from the
non-triggering events. Intuitively, this makes the classification
correct for testing data that is near, but not identical to
training data. Other directed and undirected model classification
approaches include, e.g., naive Bayes, Bayesian networks, decision
trees, neural networks, fuzzy logic models, and probabilistic
classification models providing different patterns of independence
can be employed. Classification as used herein also is inclusive of
statistical regression that is utilized to develop models of
priority.
[0067] FIGS. 8-11 illustrate various methodologies in accordance
with the disclosed subject matter. While, for purposes of
simplicity of explanation, the methodologies are shown and
described as a series of acts, it is to be understood and
appreciated that the disclosed subject matter is not limited by the
order of acts, as some acts may occur in different orders and/or
concurrently with other acts from that shown and described herein.
For example, those skilled in the art will understand and
appreciate that a methodology could alternatively be represented as
a series of interrelated states or events, such as in a state
diagram. Moreover, not all illustrated acts may be required to
implement a methodology in accordance with the disclosed subject
matter. Additionally, it should be further appreciated that the
methodologies disclosed hereinafter and throughout this
specification are capable of being stored on an article of
manufacture to facilitate transporting and transferring such
methodologies to computers.
[0068] FIG. 8 provides a flowchart 800 that can be utilized by a
network coordination component, such as network coordination
component 416, in order to optimize a multiple access wireless
communication network and reduce or minimize interference between
coverage areas serviced by the multiple access wireless
communication network and coverage areas serviced by a femto cell,
such as femto cell 106. Method 800 can commence at 802 where a base
station situated in the multiple access wireless communication
network can receive a received signal strength indicator from a
femto cell also located in the multiple access wireless
communication network. The received signal strength indicator can
be received in response to the base station transmitting or
broadcasting, continuously, periodically, at randomly selected time
intervals, or on demand, a pilot signal/beacon to the femto cell.
The received signal strength indicator provides an indication of
the degree of interference that the femto cell is experiencing at a
given point in time. In addition to the received signal strength
indicator the base station can also, in response to the transmitted
pilot signal/beacon, receive other quality metrics from the femto
cell. Such quality metrics can provide further indications
regarding the broadcast environment within which the femto cell is
operating.
[0069] At 804 the base station (e.g., the base station that
transmitted or broadcast the pilot signal/beacon) can optimize the
multiple access wireless communication network (e.g., macro
network) based on the returned received signal strength indicator.
The base station can optimize the multiple access wireless network
by adjusting transmission characteristics extant in the multiple
access network (or portions within which the femto cell is
situated) so as to minimize overlaps (and thereby reduce
interference) between coverage areas serviced by the multiple
access wireless communication network and the coverage areas
serviced by the femto cell.
[0070] FIG. 9 illustrates a further flowchart 900 that can be
utilized by a network coordination component (e.g., network
coordination component 416) included with a base station located in
a multiple access wireless communication network. Method 900 can
commence at 902 whereupon a base station obtains an aggregated
received signal strength indicator in response to sending out a
pilot signal/beacon to a femto cell. The aggregated received signal
strength indicator can be dispatched to the base station when the
femto cell ascertains that multiple base stations have sent a
similar pilot signal/beacon in near temporal proximity or where the
femto cells adjudges that a similar pilot signal/beacon from a
plurality of base stations has been received contemporaneously. In
response to receiving the aggregated received signal strength
indicator, at 904 the base station can optimize the multiple access
wireless communication network by modifying or adjusting
transmission characteristics such as transmission power, frequency
allocation, and the like. Additionally, the base station can
optimize the multiple access wireless communications network by
changing the azimuths and/or tilt angles of antennas controlled by
the base station.
[0071] FIG. 10 illustrates a method 1000 that can be employed by a
network regulation component, such as network regulation component
518, wherein the network regulation component is affiliated with a
femto cell. Method 1000 can commence at 1002 where a suboptimal
degree of interference from a multiple access communications
network (e.g., macro network) can be detected. The suboptimal
degree of interference can typically inhibit the femto cell from
optimizing a coverage area associated with one or more antennas
included in an affiliated distributed antenna array, for example.
In response to the detection of the suboptimal degree of
interference, the femto cell, through the warning indicator
component 706, for instance, can transmit to a system administrator
a warning message that the femto cell needs to be relocated or that
one or more of antennas associated with the distributed antenna
array needs adjustment.
[0072] FIG. 11 depicts a process or method 1100 that can be
utilized by a network coordination component, such as network
coordination component 416. The network coordination component can
be included in a base station located in a multiple access wireless
communication network, such as multiple access wireless
communication network 102. The method or process 1100 can commence
at 1102 whereupon a base station, within which a network
coordination component is included, can solicit a received signal
strength indicator from a femto cell positioned in a geographical
area of a multiple access wireless communication network. The base
station can solicit the received signal strength indicator, as well
as other pertinent quality information, by transmitting or
broadcasting a pilot signal/beacon (or some other predetermined or
prearranged signal) to the femto cell. On receipt of the pilot
signal/beacon the femto cell can send back the requested received
signal strength indicator (as well as other pertinent quality
metrics). On receipt of the received signal strength indictor, and
based on the received signal strength indicator, the base station
at 1004, through a remote electrical tilt mechanism, can adjust the
tilt angle and/or azimuth of one or more antennas controlled by the
base station so as to reduce or minimize the coverage overlap
between the multiple access wireless communication network and the
femto cell and thereby minimize or reduce interference between the
two coverage areas.
[0073] To provide further context for various aspects of the
subject specification, FIG. 12 illustrates an example wireless
communication environment 1200, with associated components that can
enable operation of a femtocell enterprise network in accordance
with aspects described herein. Wireless communication environment
1200 includes two wireless network platforms: (i) A macro network
platform 1210 that serves, or facilitates communication) with user
equipment 1275 via a macro radio access network (RAN) 1270. It
should be appreciated that in cellular wireless technologies (e.g.,
4G, 3GPP UMTS, HSPA, 3GPP LTE, 3GPP UMB), macro network platform
1210 is embodied in a Core Network. (ii) A femto network platform
1280, which can provide communication with UE 1275 through a femto
RAN 1290, linked to the femto network platform 1280 through a
routing platform 1287 via backhaul pipe(s) 1285, wherein backhaul
pipe(s) are substantially the same a backhaul link 1353 below. It
should be appreciated that femto network platform 1280 typically
offloads UE 1275 from macro network, once UE 1275 attaches (e.g.,
through macro-to-femto handover, or via a scan of channel resources
in idle mode) to femto RAN.
[0074] It is noted that RAN includes base station(s), or access
point(s), and its associated electronic circuitry and deployment
site(s), in addition to a wireless radio link operated in
accordance with the base station(s). Accordingly, macro RAN 1270
can comprise various coverage cells like cell 1305, while femto RAN
1290 can comprise multiple femto access points. As mentioned above,
it is to be appreciated that deployment density in femto RAN 1290
is substantially higher than in macro RAN 1270.
[0075] Generally, both macro and femto network platforms 1210 and
1280 include components, e.g., nodes, gateways, interfaces,
servers, or platforms, that facilitate both packet-switched (PS)
(e.g., internet protocol (IP), frame relay, asynchronous transfer
mode (ATM)) and circuit-switched (CS) traffic (e.g., voice and
data) and control generation for networked wireless communication.
In an aspect of the subject innovation, macro network platform 1210
includes CS gateway node(s) 1212 which can interface CS traffic
received from legacy networks like telephony network(s) 1240 (e.g.,
public switched telephone network (PSTN), or public land mobile
network (PLMN)) or a SS7 network 1260. Circuit switched gateway
1212 can authorize and authenticate traffic (e.g., voice) arising
from such networks. Additionally, CS gateway 1212 can access
mobility, or roaming, data generated through SS7 network 1260; for
instance, mobility data stored in a VLR, which can reside in memory
1230. Moreover, CS gateway node(s) 1212 interfaces CS-based traffic
and signaling and gateway node(s) 1218. As an example, in a 3GPP
UMTS network, gateway node(s) 1218 can be embodied in gateway GPRS
support node(s) (GGSN).
[0076] In addition to receiving and processing CS-switched traffic
and signaling, gateway node(s) 1218 can authorize and authenticate
PS-based data sessions with served (e.g., through macro RAN)
wireless devices. Data sessions can include traffic exchange with
networks external to the macro network platform 1210, like wide
area network(s) (WANs) 1250; it should be appreciated that local
area network(s) (LANs) can also be interfaced with macro network
platform 1210 through gateway node(s) 1218. Gateway node(s) 1218
generates packet data contexts when a data session is established.
To that end, in an aspect, gateway node(s) 1218 can include a
tunnel interface (e.g., tunnel termination gateway (TTG) in 3GPP
UMTS network(s); not shown) which can facilitate packetized
communication with disparate wireless network(s), such as Wi-Fi
networks. It should be further appreciated that the packetized
communication can include multiple flows that can be generated
through server(s) 1214. It is to be noted that in 3GPP UMTS
network(s), gateway node(s) 1218 (e.g., GGSN) and tunnel interface
(e.g., TTG) comprise a packet data gateway (PDG).
[0077] Macro network platform 1210 also includes serving node(s)
1216 that convey the various packetized flows of information or
data streams, received through gateway node(s) 1218. As an example,
in a 3GPP UMTS network, serving node(s) can be embodied in serving
GPRS support node(s) (SGSN).
[0078] As indicated above, server(s) 1214 in macro network platform
1210 can execute numerous applications (e.g., location services,
online gaming, wireless banking, wireless device management . . . )
that generate multiple disparate packetized data streams or flows,
and manage (e.g., schedule, queue, format . . . ) such flows. Such
application(s), for example can include add-on features to standard
services provided by macro network platform 1210. Data streams can
be conveyed to gateway node(s) 1218 for
authorization/authentication and initiation of a data session, and
to serving node(s) 1216 for communication thereafter. Server(s)
1214 can also effect security (e.g., implement one or more
firewalls) of macro network platform 1210 to ensure network's
operation and data integrity in addition to authorization and
authentication procedures that CS gateway node(s) 1212 and gateway
node(s) 1218 can enact. Moreover, server(s) 1214 can provision
services from external network(s), e.g., WAN 1250, or Global
Positioning System (GPS) network(s) (not shown). It is to be noted
that server(s) 1214 can include one or more processor configured to
confer at least in part the functionality of macro network platform
1210. To that end, the one or more processor can execute code
instructions stored in memory 1230, for example.
[0079] In example wireless environment 1200, memory 1230 stores
information related to operation of macro network platform 1210.
Information can include business data associated with subscribers;
market plans and strategies, e.g., promotional campaigns, business
partnerships; operational data for mobile devices served through
macro network platform; service and privacy policies; end-user
service logs for law enforcement; and so forth. Memory 1230 can
also store information from at least one of telephony network(s)
1240, WAN(s) 1250, or SS7 network 1260, enterprise NW(s) 1265, or
service NW(s) 1267.
[0080] Femto gateway node(s) 1284 have substantially the same
functionality as PS gateway node(s) 1218. Additionally, femto
gateway node(s) 1284 can also include substantially all
functionality of serving node(s) 1216. In an aspect, femto gateway
node(s) 1284 facilitates handover resolution, e.g., assessment and
execution. Further, control node(s) 1220 can receive handover
requests and relay them to a handover component (not shown) via
gateway node(s) 1284. According to an aspect, control node(s) 1220
can support RNC capabilities.
[0081] Server(s) 1282 have substantially the same functionality as
described in connection with server(s) 1214. In an aspect,
server(s) 1282 can execute multiple application(s) that provide
service (e.g., voice and data) to wireless devices served through
femto RAN 1290. Server(s) 1282 can also provide security features
to femto network platform. In addition, server(s) 1282 can manage
(e.g., schedule, queue, format . . . ) substantially all packetized
flows (e.g., IP-based, frame relay-based, ATM-based) it generates
in addition to data received from macro network platform 1210. It
is to be noted that server(s) 1282 can include one or more
processor configured to confer at least in part the functionality
of macro network platform 1210. To that end, the one or more
processor can execute code instructions stored in memory 1286, for
example.
[0082] Memory 1286 can include information relevant to operation of
the various components of femto network platform 1280. For example
operational information that can be stored in memory 1286 can
comprise, but is not limited to, subscriber information; contracted
services; maintenance and service records; femto cell configuration
(e.g., devices served through femto RAN 1290; access control lists,
or white lists); service policies and specifications; privacy
policies; add-on features; and so forth.
[0083] It is noted that femto network platform 1280 and macro
network platform 1210 can be functionally connected through one or
more reference link(s) or reference interface(s). In addition,
femto network platform 1280 can be functionally coupled directly
(not illustrated) to one or more of external network(s) 1240, 1250,
1260, 1265 or 1267. Reference link(s) or interface(s) can
functionally link at least one of gateway node(s) 1284 or server(s)
1286 to the one or more external networks 1240, 1250, 1260, 1265 or
1267.
[0084] FIG. 13 illustrates a wireless environment that includes
macro cells and femtocells for wireless coverage in accordance with
aspects described herein. In wireless environment 1350, two areas
1305 represent "macro" cell coverage; each macro cell is served by
a base station 1310. It can be appreciated that macro cell coverage
area 1305 and base station 1310 can include functionality, as more
fully described herein, for example, with regard to system 1300.
Macro coverage is generally intended to serve mobile wireless
devices, like UE 1320.sub.A, 1320.sub.B, in outdoors locations. An
over-the-air wireless link 1315 provides such coverage, the
wireless link 1315 comprises a downlink (DL) and an uplink (UL),
and utilizes a predetermined band, licensed or unlicensed, of the
radio frequency (RF) spectrum. As an example, UE 1320.sub.A,
1320.sub.B can be a 3GPP Universal Mobile Telecommunication System
(UMTS) mobile phone. It is noted that a set of base stations, its
associated electronics, circuitry or components, base stations
control component(s), and wireless links operated in accordance to
respective base stations in the set of base stations form a radio
access network (RAN). In addition, base station 1310 communicates
via backhaul link(s) 1351 with a macro network platform 1360, which
in cellular wireless technologies (e.g., 3rd Generation Partnership
Project (3GPP) Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS),
Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM)) represents a core
network.
[0085] In an aspect, macro network platform 1360 controls a set of
base stations 1310 that serve either respective cells or a number
of sectors within such cells. Base station 1310 comprises radio
equipment 1314 for operation in one or more radio technologies, and
a set of antennas 1312 (e.g., smart antennas, microwave antennas,
satellite dish(es) . . . ) that can serve one or more sectors
within a macro cell 1305. It is noted that a set of radio network
control node(s), which can be a part of macro network platform; a
set of base stations (e.g., Node B 1310) that serve a set of macro
cells 1305; electronics, circuitry or components associated with
the base stations in the set of base stations; a set of respective
OTA wireless links (e.g., links 1315 or 1316) operated in
accordance to a radio technology through the base stations; and
backhaul link(s) 1355 and 1351 form a macro radio access network
(RAN). Macro network platform 1360 also communicates with other
base stations (not shown) that serve other cells (not shown).
Backhaul link(s) 1351 or 1353 can include a wired backbone link
(e.g., optical fiber backbone, twisted-pair line, T1/E1 phone line,
a digital subscriber line (DSL) either synchronous or asynchronous,
an asymmetric ADSL, or a coaxial cable . . . ) or a wireless (e.g.,
line-of-sight (LOS) or non-LOS) backbone link. Backhaul pipe(s)
1355 link disparate base stations 1310. According to an aspect,
backhaul link 1353 can connect multiple femto access points 1330
and/or controller components (CC) 1301 to the femto network
platform 1302. In one example, multiple femto APs can be connected
to a routing platform (RP) 1387, which in turn can be connect to a
controller component (CC) 1301. Typically, the information from UEs
1320.sub.A can be routed by the RP 1387, for example, internally,
to another UE 1320.sub.A connected to a disparate femto AP
connected to the RP 1387, or, externally, to the femto network
platform 1302 via the CC 1301, as discussed in detail supra.
[0086] In wireless environment 1350, within one or more macro
cell(s) 1305, a set of femtocells 1345 served by respective femto
access points (APs) 1330 can be deployed. It can be appreciated
that, aspects of the subject innovation are geared to femtocell
deployments with substantive femto AP density, e.g.,
10.sup.4-10.sup.7 femto APs 1330 per base station 1310. According
to an aspect, a set of femto access points 1330.sub.1-1330.sub.N,
with N a natural number, can be functionally connected to a routing
platform 1387, which can be functionally coupled to a controller
component 1301. The controller component 1301 can be operationally
linked to the femto network platform 330 by employing backhaul
link(s) 1353. Accordingly, UE 1320.sub.A connected to femto APs
1330.sub.1-1330.sub.N can communicate internally within the femto
enterprise via the routing platform (RP) 1387 and/or can also
communicate with the femto network platform 1302 via the RP 1387,
controller component 1301 and the backhaul link(s) 1353. It can be
appreciated that although only one femto enterprise is depicted in
FIG. 13, multiple femto enterprise networks can be deployed within
a macro cell 1305.
[0087] It is noted that while various aspects, features, or
advantages described herein have been illustrated through femto
access point(s) and associated femto coverage, such aspects and
features also can be exploited for home access point(s) (HAPs) that
provide wireless coverage through substantially any, or any,
disparate telecommunication technologies, such as for example Wi-Fi
(wireless fidelity) or picocell telecommunication. Additionally,
aspects, features, or advantages of the subject innovation can be
exploited in substantially any wireless telecommunication, or
radio, technology; for example, Wi-Fi, Worldwide Interoperability
for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Enhanced General Packet Radio Service
(Enhanced GPRS), 3GPP LTE, 3GPP2 UMB, 3GPP UMTS, HSPA, HSDPA,
HSUPA, or LTE Advanced. Moreover, substantially all aspects of the
subject innovation can include legacy telecommunication
technologies.
[0088] With respect to FIG. 14, in example embodiment 1400,
femtocell AP 1410 can receive and transmit signal(s) (e.g., traffic
and control signals) from and to wireless devices, access
terminals, wireless ports and routers, etc., through a set of
antennas 1469.sub.1-1469.sub.N. It should be appreciated that while
antennas 1469.sub.1-1469.sub.N are a part of communication platform
1425, which comprises electronic components and associated
circuitry that provides for processing and manipulating of received
signal(s) (e.g., a packet flow) and signal(s) (e.g., a broadcast
control channel) to be transmitted. In an aspect, communication
platform 1425 includes a transmitter/receiver (e.g., a transceiver)
1466 that can convert signal(s) from analog format to digital
format upon reception, and from digital format to analog format
upon transmission. In addition, receiver/transmitter 1466 can
divide a single data stream into multiple, parallel data streams,
or perform the reciprocal operation. Coupled to transceiver 1466 is
a multiplexer/demultiplexer 1467 that facilitates manipulation of
signal in time and frequency space. Electronic component 1467 can
multiplex information (data/traffic and control/signaling)
according to various multiplexing schemes such as time division
multiplexing (TDM), frequency division multiplexing (FDM),
orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), code division
multiplexing (CDM), space division multiplexing (SDM). In addition,
mux/demux component 1467 can scramble and spread information (e.g.,
codes) according to substantially any code known in the art; e.g.,
Hadamard-Walsh codes, Baker codes, Kasami codes, polyphase codes,
and so on. A modulator/demodulator 1468 is also a part of
operational group 1425, and can modulate information according to
multiple modulation techniques, such as frequency modulation,
amplitude modulation (e.g., M-ary quadrature amplitude modulation
(QAM), with M a positive integer), phase-shift keying (PSK), and
the like.
[0089] FAP 1410 also includes a processor 1445 configured to confer
functionality, at least partially, to substantially any electronic
component in the femto access point 1410, in accordance with
aspects of the subject innovation. In particular, processor 1445
can facilitate FAP 1410 to implement configuration instructions
received through communication platform 1425, which can include
storing data in memory 1455. In addition, processor 1445
facilitates FAP 1410 to process data (e.g., symbols, bits, or
chips) for multiplexing/demultiplexing, such as effecting direct
and inverse fast Fourier transforms, selection of modulation rates,
selection of data packet formats, inter-packet times, etc.
Moreover, processor 1445 can manipulate antennas
1469.sub.1-1469.sub.N to facilitate beamforming or selective
radiation pattern formation, which can benefit specific locations
(e.g., basement, home office . . . ) covered by FAP; and exploit
substantially any other advantages associated with smart-antenna
technology. Memory 1455 can store data structures, code
instructions, system or device information like device
identification codes (e.g., IMEI, MSISDN, serial number . . . ) and
specification such as multimode capabilities; code sequences for
scrambling; spreading and pilot transmission, floor plan
configuration, access point deployment and frequency plans; and so
on. Moreover, memory 1455 can store configuration information such
as schedules and policies; FAP address(es) or geographical
indicator(s); access lists (e.g., white lists); license(s) for
utilization of add-features for FAP 1410, and so forth.
[0090] In embodiment 1400, processor 1445 is coupled to the memory
1455 in order to store and retrieve information necessary to
operate and/or confer functionality to communication platform 1425,
broadband network interface 1435 (e.g., a broadband modem), and
other operational components (e.g., multimode chipset(s), power
supply sources . . . ; not shown) that support femto access point
1410. In addition, it is to be noted that the various aspects
disclosed in the subject specification can also be implemented
through (i) program modules stored in a computer-readable storage
medium or memory (e.g., memory 1386 or memory 1455) and executed by
a processor (e.g., processor 1445), or (ii) other combination(s) of
hardware and software, or hardware and firmware.
[0091] Referring now to FIG. 15, there is illustrated a block
diagram of an exemplary computer system operable to execute the
disclosed architecture. In order to provide additional context for
various aspects of the disclosed subject matter, FIG. 15 and the
following discussion are intended to provide a brief, general
description of a suitable computing environment 1500 in which the
various aspects of the disclosed subject matter can be implemented.
Additionally, while the disclosed subject matter described above
may be suitable for application in the general context of
computer-executable instructions that may run on one or more
computers, those skilled in the art will recognize that the
disclosed subject matter also can be implemented in combination
with other program modules and/or as a combination of hardware and
software.
[0092] Generally, program modules include routines, programs,
components, data structures, etc., that perform particular tasks or
implement particular abstract data types. Moreover, those skilled
in the art will appreciate that the inventive methods can be
practiced with other computer system configurations, including
single-processor or multiprocessor computer systems, minicomputers,
mainframe computers, as well as personal computers, hand-held
computing devices, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer
electronics, and the like, each of which can be operatively coupled
to one or more associated devices.
[0093] The illustrated aspects of the disclosed subject matter may
also be practiced in distributed computing environments where
certain tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are
linked through a communications network. In a distributed computing
environment, program modules can be located in both local and
remote memory storage devices.
[0094] A computer typically includes a variety of computer-readable
media. Computer-readable media can be any available media that can
be accessed by the computer and includes both volatile and
nonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of
example, and not limitation, computer-readable media can comprise
computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage
media can include either volatile or nonvolatile, removable and
non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for
storage of information such as computer-readable instructions, data
structures, program modules or other data. Computer storage media
includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or
other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disk (DVD) or
other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape,
magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any
other medium which can be used to store the desired information and
which can be accessed by the computer.
[0095] Communication media typically embodies computer-readable
instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a
modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport
mechanism, and includes any information delivery media. The term
"modulated data signal" means a signal that has one or more of its
characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode
information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation,
communication media includes wired media such as a wired network or
direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF,
infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of the any of the
above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable
media.
[0096] With reference again to FIG. 15, the exemplary environment
1500 for implementing various aspects of the disclosed subject
matter includes a computer 1502, the computer 1502 including a
processing unit 1504, a system memory 1506 and a system bus 1508.
The system bus 1508 couples to system components including, but not
limited to, the system memory 1506 to the processing unit 1504. The
processing unit 1504 can be any of various commercially available
processors. Dual microprocessors and other multi-processor
architectures may also be employed as the processing unit 1504.
[0097] The system bus 1508 can be any of several types of bus
structure that may further interconnect to a memory bus (with or
without a memory controller), a peripheral bus, and a local bus
using any of a variety of commercially available bus architectures.
The system memory 1506 includes read-only memory (ROM) 1510 and
random access memory (RAM) 1512. A basic input/output system (BIOS)
is stored in a non-volatile memory 1510 such as ROM, EPROM, EEPROM,
which BIOS contains the basic routines that help to transfer
information between elements within the computer 1502, such as
during start-up. The RAM 1512 can also include a high-speed RAM
such as static RAM for caching data.
[0098] The computer 1502 further includes an internal hard disk
drive (HDD) 1514 (e.g., EIDE, SATA), which internal hard disk drive
1514 may also be configured for external use in a suitable chassis
(not shown), a magnetic floppy disk drive (FDD) 1516, (e.g., to
read from or write to a removable diskette 1518) and an optical
disk drive 1520, (e.g., reading a CD-ROM disk 1522 or, to read from
or write to other high capacity optical media such as the DVD). The
hard disk drive 1514, magnetic disk drive 1516 and optical disk
drive 1520 can be connected to the system bus 1508 by a hard disk
drive interface 1524, a magnetic disk drive interface 1526 and an
optical drive interface 1528, respectively. The interface 1524 for
external drive implementations includes at least one or both of
Universal Serial Bus (USB) and IEEE1394 interface technologies.
Other external drive connection technologies are within
contemplation of the subject matter disclosed herein.
[0099] The drives and their associated computer-readable media
provide nonvolatile storage of data, data structures,
computer-executable instructions, and so forth. For the computer
1502, the drives and media accommodate the storage of any data in a
suitable digital format. Although the description of
computer-readable media above refers to a HDD, a removable magnetic
diskette, and a removable optical media such as a CD or DVD, it
should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other types
of media which are readable by a computer, such as zip drives,
magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, cartridges, and the like,
may also be used in the exemplary operating environment, and
further, that any such media may contain computer-executable
instructions for performing the methods of the disclosed subject
matter.
[0100] A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and
RAM 1512, including an operating system 1530, one or more
application programs 1532, other program modules 1534 and program
data 1536. All or portions of the operating system, applications,
modules, and/or data can also be cached in the RAM 1512. It is
appreciated that the disclosed subject matter can be implemented
with various commercially available operating systems or
combinations of operating systems.
[0101] A user can enter commands and information into the computer
1502 through one or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a
keyboard 1538 and a pointing device, such as a mouse 1540. Other
input devices (not shown) may include a microphone, an IR remote
control, a joystick, a game pad, a stylus pen, touch screen, or the
like. These and other input devices are often connected to the
processing unit 1504 through an input device interface 1542 that is
coupled to the system bus 1508, but can be connected by other
interfaces, such as a parallel port, an IEEE1394 serial port, a
game port, a USB port, an IR interface, etc.
[0102] A monitor 1544 or other type of display device is also
connected to the system bus 1508 via an interface, such as a video
adapter 1546. In addition to the monitor 1544, a computer typically
includes other peripheral output devices (not shown), such as
speakers, printers, etc.
[0103] The computer 1502 may operate in a networked environment
using logical connections via wired and/or wireless communications
to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer(s) 1548.
The remote computer(s) 1548 can be a workstation, a server
computer, a router, a personal computer, a mobile device, portable
computer, microprocessor-based entertainment appliance, a peer
device or other common network node, and typically includes many or
all of the elements described relative to the computer 1502,
although, for purposes of brevity, only a memory/storage device
1550 is illustrated. The logical connections depicted include
wired/wireless connectivity to a local area network (LAN) 1552
and/or larger networks, e.g., a wide area network (WAN) 1554. Such
LAN and WAN networking environments are commonplace in offices and
companies, and facilitate enterprise-wide computer networks, such
as intranets, all of which may connect to a global communications
network, e.g., the Internet.
[0104] When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 1502
is connected to the local network 1552 through a wired and/or
wireless communication network interface or adapter 1556. The
adapter 1556 may facilitate wired or wireless communication to the
LAN 1552, which may also include a wireless access point disposed
thereon for communicating with the wireless adapter 1556.
[0105] When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 1502
can include a modem 1558, or is connected to a communications
server on the WAN 1554, or has other means for establishing
communications over the WAN 1554, such as by way of the Internet.
The modem 1558, which can be internal or external and a wired or
wireless device, is connected to the system bus 1508 via the serial
port interface 1542. In a networked environment, program modules
depicted relative to the computer 1502, or portions thereof, can be
stored in the remote memory/storage device 1550. It will be
appreciated that the network connections shown are exemplary and
other means of establishing a communications link between the
computers can be used.
[0106] The computer 1502 is operable to communicate with any
wireless devices or entities operatively disposed in wireless
communication, e.g., a printer, scanner, desktop and/or portable
computer, portable data assistant, communications satellite, any
piece of equipment or location associated with a wirelessly
detectable tag (e.g., a kiosk, news stand, restroom), and
telephone. This includes at least Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.TM. wireless
technologies. Thus, the communication can be a predefined structure
as with a conventional network or simply an ad hoc communication
between at least two devices. Wi-Fi, or Wireless Fidelity, allows
connection to the Internet from a couch at home, a bed in a hotel
room, or a conference room at work, without wires. Wi-Fi is a
wireless technology similar to that used in a cell phone that
enables such devices, e.g., computers, to send and receive data
indoors and out; anywhere within the range of a base station. Wi-Fi
networks use radio technologies called IEEE802.11 (a, b, g, n,
etc.) to provide secure, reliable, fast wireless connectivity. A
Wi-Fi network can be used to connect computers to each other, to
the Internet, and to wired networks (which use IEEE802.3 or
Ethernet). Wi-Fi networks operate in the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz
radio bands, at an 15 Mbps (802.11b) or 54 Mbps (802.11a) data
rate, for example, or with products that contain both bands (dual
band), so the networks can provide real-world performance similar
to the basic "10BaseT" wired Ethernet networks used in many
offices.
[0107] What has been described above includes examples of the
various embodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe
every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for
purposes of describing the embodiments, but one of ordinary skill
in the art may recognize that many further combinations and
permutations are possible. Accordingly, the detailed description is
intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and
variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended
claims.
[0108] As it employed in the subject specification, the term
"processor" can refer to substantially any computing processing
unit or device comprising, but not limited to comprising,
single-core processors; single-processors with software multithread
execution capability; multi-core processors; multi-core processors
with software multithread execution capability; multi-core
processors with hardware multithread technology; parallel
platforms; and parallel platforms with distributed shared memory.
Additionally, a processor can refer to an integrated circuit, an
application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal
processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a
programmable logic controller (PLC), a complex programmable logic
device (CPLD), a discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete
hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform
the functions described herein. Processors can exploit nano-scale
architectures such as, but not limited to, molecular and
quantum-dot based transistors, switches and gates, in order to
optimize space usage or enhance performance of user equipment. A
processor also can be implemented as a combination of computing
processing units.
[0109] In the subject specification, terms such as "store," "data
store," "data storage," "database," "repository," and substantially
any other information storage component relevant to operation and
functionality of a component, refer to "memory components," or
entities embodied in a "memory" or components comprising the
memory. It will be appreciated that the memory components described
herein can be either volatile memory or nonvolatile memory, or can
include both volatile and nonvolatile memory. In addition, memory
components or memory elements can be removable or stationary.
Moreover, memory can be internal or external to a device or
component, or removable or stationary. Memory can include various
types of media that are readable by a computer, such as hard-disc
drives, zip drives, magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards or other
types of memory cards, cartridges, or the like.
[0110] By way of illustration, and not limitation, nonvolatile
memory can include read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM),
electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable ROM
(EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory can include random
access memory (RAM), which acts as external cache memory. By way of
illustration and not limitation, RAM is available in many forms
such as synchronous RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous
DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM
(ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM).
Additionally, the disclosed memory components of systems or methods
herein are intended to comprise, without being limited to
comprising, these and any other suitable types of memory.
[0111] In particular and in regard to the various functions
performed by the above described components, devices, circuits,
systems and the like, the terms (including a reference to a
"means") used to describe such components are intended to
correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any component which
performs the specified function of the described component (e.g., a
functional equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to
the disclosed structure, which performs the function in the herein
illustrated exemplary aspects of the embodiments. In this regard,
it will also be recognized that the embodiments includes a system
as well as a computer-readable medium having computer-executable
instructions for performing the acts and/or events of the various
methods.
[0112] In addition, while a particular feature may have been
disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such
feature may be combined with one or more other features of the
other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any
given or particular application. Furthermore, to the extent that
the terms "includes" and "including" and variants thereof are used
in either the detailed description or the claims, these terms are
intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term
"comprising."
* * * * *